Networking of universities in the world and in Russia: creation and development of strategic partnerships

Abstract

Internationalization of higher education system leads to active creation and development of international strategic partnerships at institutional and national levels. International cooperation allows educational organizations to improve and to expand their capabilities of educational services provision and, as a result, to increase competitiveness in the world market. In this regard, universities around the world undertake increasing efforts to create and improve the effectiveness of international strategic partnerships by developing strategies and programs for their development. The authors of the article analyze the main trends in network interaction of higher education institutions in the European Higher Education Area and in Russia: their strategic priorities, forms of institutional partnerships and internal institutional organization, as well as factors that contribute to effective implementation of international strategic partnerships. The article also describes the basic model of universities' international activity organization, decision-making process for creation of strategic partnerships and funding sources of networked universities. In conclusion, special attention was attributed to network universities with the participation of Russian higher education institutions, their main characteristics and prospects for development of the network cooperation of Russian higher education institutions.